Good News for October 22, 2025
- St. Raymond of Penafort
- Oct 22
- 9 min read
In this Issue:
Humility and Prayer
~Stan Sienkiewicz
Saint Albert the Great Church + Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
As I sat with this Gospel, I found myself reading it through two, ideally interconnected, lenses - humility and prayer. I didn’t come with a plan and what surfaced first was a mix of discomfort and curiosity. I watched where my mind and heart moved as the temple scene unfolded, presenting a clear contrast between self-righteousness and humility.
The Pharisee looks around and talks of all that he does and how glad he is that he’s not like others, essentially speaking his “prayer to himself.” In contrast, the tax collector’s prayer is simple and direct, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” He stands at a distance, his gaze lowered, and his hand to his chest. He simply presents the truth of his need. His unadorned honesty is unsettling in a helpful way. It suggests that humility is not self-contempt or self-erasure but the courage to stand before God without props or performance.
I notice echoes of the Pharisee in me, not in his exact words but in the habit of scanning the room and measuring myself against others. This outward gaze pulls me into a comparison with fellow parishioners and away from God. It is a habit that I often find creeps back. While my prayer is not focused on the good I have done, it typically involves asking for help, guidance, and solutions to the problems or difficulties I may be facing. None of these requests are wrong, but they can keep the focus on outcomes rather than on growing a relationship. I’m not turning to God with simple attention, praise, or quiet listening. But, when I slowly echo the tax collector’s prayer, the words gather my scattered attention and place it not on my self-assessment or wish list, but on God Himself. The words shift my focus from managing to meeting, from talking about God to speaking to him.
It was important for me to note that both men go to the same Temple. It reinforces the idea that I can enter the same church, sit in the same pew, say the same prayers, and still miss the point if my words circle around my needs instead of opening toward God. When I let the tax collector’s prayer set the tone, something loosens inside, as if humility makes room for God to be God and for me to be received as I am. That is the place I want to pray from: without comparison, without performance, simply and honestly. This week I want to put into action what Jesus is telling me. I want to pray directly to him and not talk about myself.
Trunk or Treat Was a Spooktacular Success!
St. Raymond’s Trunk or Treat was an absolute blast! Everyone went all out - creative costumes to the decked-out trunks, you all made it a night to remember.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined in the fun, and special congratulations to our 1st and 2nd place winners!
1st Place: Aaliyah, Tamika and Ayanna Farmbry
2nd Place: Koryse, Komlavi, Naimah, Solange and Ezekiel Ekouevi
Welcome to the church, Elijah Kole
We joyfully welcomed Elijah Kole into our church family through the Sacrament of Baptism. Please remember Elijah, his parents, and loved ones in your prayers as he begins his journey of faith.
Basement Renovation: Please Share Your Opinion!
We at St. Raymond have a tremendous opportunity to enhance the faith life of our Parish through the renovation of the church basement. The floods of this past spring, and the resulting remediation efforts, have effectively rendered the space unusable in its current form. While ideas for transforming the space have been floated in the past, our current situation makes renovation imperative.
To guide our planning for this renovation project, we have a few questions we would like to ask. Once the results of this survey have been answered, we will have in-person meetings to discuss the results and further flesh out planning objectives. Please take a moment to complete the survey, and thanks in advance for your interest in the future of your Parish!
Alpha Youth Group Meeting October 26
There will be a meeting in the Sister Rosemary Room after the 10 AM Mass this coming Sunday, October 26. Lunch will be provided.
Children's Choir Returns October 25
Our Children’s Choir will sing at the 5:00 pm Mass on Saturday, October 25. If your child is interested please bring them to Mass at 4:15 pm. Call the Church Rectory if you have any questions. Thank you for supporting our young parish musicians!
Altar Server Training is This Saturday October 25
Do you feel called to serve at the altar? We are looking for new altar servers! Training will be on Saturday, October 25 at 10 am in the Church. If you’ve already made your First Communion, you are welcome to join us! Current servers are encouraged to come for a refresher. Parents, this is a wonderful way for your children to grow in faith and service.
Biblical Walk with Mary: Thursdays in November
Healing for the Holidays Workshop November 15
St. Raymond parishioner, Jessie Marushak, is leading a special workshop, Healing for the Holidays, on Friday, November 15 from 10 AM–12 PM in the Sr. Rosemary Room. Refreshments and materials will be provided. Space is limited, so be sure to save your spot by November 12. Click here to register.
NEW DATE! Christmas Concert DECEMBER 21
Join us for our Events Team Dinner October 26
We’re putting together a team of people to start planning parish social events again. If you enjoy welcoming people and creating some fun, we’d love your help! All are welcome - especially high school and college students! Join us October 26 at 6 PM in the hall under the church. Dinner will be provided. Bring your
Thanksgiving Food Collection
We are, once again, collecting donations to bless families in need this Thanksgiving. Food Bags are available in the rear of the church, as well as envelopes for monetary donations. Food donations can be left in the vestibule of the Church or dropped off at the Rectory. Monetary donations can be placed in the Sunday collection basket or dropped off at the Rectory. Consider purchasing a gift card from a grocery store. Please bring your contributions on or before November 18.
If you or someone you know are in need of a Thanksgiving Food Basket, please contact the Rectory Office at 215-549-3760.
Volunteers Needed to Water our Plants!
Do you enjoy plants? Are you looking for a way to serve at church? Volunteers are
urgently needed to help water the plants in front of the rectory, church and chapel. This is a wonderful way to maintain the beauty of the Church, and your help is greatly needed.
Please contact Brandi at 215-549-3760 or at brandi@saintraymond.net or tell Jenny, Olive, or Alicia if you see them at Mass.
Share Christ’s Hospitality!
Join the Bethany Ministry at St. Raymond Parish
Be the Welcoming Face of Our Church Community
Are you looking for a meaningful way to serve at St. Raymond Parish? Our Bethany Team plays a vital role every weekend—they are the first smiling faces guests and members see as they enter our church!
Team members welcome and greet everyone with warmth and kindness, provide directions where needed, guide communion lines, and embody a spirit of hospitality reminiscent of Mary and Martha’s gracious welcome to Jesus in Bethany.
Qualifications
A love for Christ and His Church
A special devotion to St. Raymond Parish
A heart for service and a welcoming attitude
Children and youth are welcome
Your Next Step
If you feel called to share Christ’s love through hospitality, please contact Minta (215-549-3760, ext.3) to get started and become a part of this important mission!
Let’s make St. Raymond Parish a place where everyone feels at home—from the moment they walk through our doors.
New Dates for Anointing Mass - November 8 and 9
An anointing Mass will be held at the 5pm, 8am & 10 am Masses on Saturday & Sunday, November 8 and 9. Please note the new dates. Parishioners who are facing surgery, or have chronic illnesses or other serious health issues are encouraged to register by contacting Brandi at brandi@saintraymond.net, calling the Rectory or signing up in the back of Church.
Monthly Prayer Team is This Weekend
St. Raymond's Prayer Team stands ready to offer prayer after all the Masses this Saturday and Sunday (always the last weekend of the month). Join us to lift up your needs and intentions to our loving God, who hears and answers every prayer.
Increased Offering Appeal Update
The St. Raymond Parish Increased Offertory Appeal has been warmly received by our parish community. To date, a growing number of parishioners have responded generously by committing to or already increasing their weekly offertory contributions. If you haven’t yet responded, please complete a Commitment Card—available in the back of the church—and place it in the collection basket. Or you can submit your commitment online: https://campaign.iopstrayphil.org
Additionally, many parishioners have expressed interest in our Electronic Giving Program. If you’d like to learn more, simply indicate that on your Commitment Card and a member of our parish staff will reach out with more information. We are deeply appreciative.
Special Collections
Note: We apologize for the absence of financial information from this past week. There were technical difficulties; they will appear in next week's Good News.
10/18 - Maintenance
Join our Daily Call to Prayer
Catholic Call to Prayer. Please Call TOLL FREE 1-877-309-2073, Enter Code 319-414-445#. 6:30 am (Monday to Friday): This call lasts 5-7 minutes and can have an amazing impact at the start your day, reflecting on God’s WORD!!
Noon Call to Prayer. Same number, Monday to Friday at NOON. We will pray the Angelus, reflect on the 1st reading from Daily Mass, say intercessory prayer for those in need and beg God to draw us all nearer to Him.
Cell Phone Reminder
Once again, we need to remind everyone to silence their cell phones during Mass. Unexpected electronic sounds lead others to lose their focus during a time that all hold sacred. So we ask you, please, to honor this request and double-check your phone when you enter church.
Mother Mary Lange Lecture in Black Catholic Studies
Monday, November 10, 2025, at 4 p.m.
The fifth annual Mother Mary Lange Lecture in Black Catholic Studies will be held on Monday, November 10, at 4 p.m. in the Connelly Center’s Villanova Room on the Villanova University campus. This year's keynote speaker is Tia Noelle Pratt, PhD, who is the Special Assistant to the Vice President and Director of Mission Engagement and Strategic Initiatives for the Office for Mission and Ministry, as well as an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Villanova University. She also serves as the Editor of the Journal of Catholic Social Thought at Villanova University. A sociologist of religion by training, Dr. Pratt earned her PhD in Sociology from Fordham University in 2010.
For more than twenty-five years, Dr. Pratt has researched and written about systemic racism in the U.S. Catholic Church and its impact on African-American Catholic identity. Dr. Pratt is also the curator of the #BlackCatholicsSyllabus. Her work has been featured in the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion, multiple edited volumes, as well as Faithfully, Commonweal, The Revealer, National Catholic Reporter, U.S. Catholic, and America. Her recent book, Black and Catholic: Racism, Identity and Religion, was published by the University of Notre Dame Press in 2025.
The Mother Mary Lange Lecture, Villanova's signature event for Black Catholic History Month, is free and open to the public both in person and via livestream, but registration is required. Seating is limited. Please register here or visit the Mother Mary Lange Lecture homepage for more information on program details, registration and parking.
Subscribe to stay up to date with events from the Office for Mission and Ministry at Villanova University and follow us on Facebook or Instagram @novamissionandministryUnderstanding the Immigration Crisis.
Whether you are an immigrant or you know some people who are, this dynamic, ecumenical presentation will provide practical, solid information about how we can work together to face the current crisis facing immigrants and refugees in our neighborhoods.
Caring for Friends: "Our Supply is Low!"
Rita Ungaro-Schiavone started Aid for Friends in her home in 1974. Rita began a food program at the Archdiocese, delivering home-cooked meals to homebound people.
Fifty years and one name change later, Caring for Friends has expanded to a network of 10,000 volunteers & 200 food pantries providing food and friendship in five counties.
The parishioners at St. Raymond are generous participants in this program.
At present, supplies in our freezer are very low. If you are able, please pick up some trays this week (in the back of church or at the rectory) and prepare some home-cooked meals to fill our freezer so that needy neighbors will not go hungry.
Fall Celebration and Bonfire
What's happening?
Fall Festival and Bonfire. We will have food from our new chef, drinks, music, raffles, and more. Celebrate Fall and the harvest season with your Caring for Friends family. This free event is in appreciation and recognition of our volunteers, donors, and community partners. Without your compassion, none of the work we do would be possible. Bring a friend or family member and join us for a nice night of food and friendship.
When? Friday, November 7 between 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Where? Caring for Friends12271 Townsend Rd. Philadelphia, Pa 19154
Tickets: This is a free event; however, please register and reserve your ticket at this link.
Please let us know by October 25 if you can make it.
Can’t come but still want to help out?
Consider a donation of $50.00 via our website. Every bit helps! Donate
Hope to see you soon!
Caring for Friends
St. Martin de Porres Mini-conference is Free!
To register, go to Office for Black Catholics – Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Immaculee Ilibagiza Program
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
Prayer for Life
Join Us in Prayer for Life!
Tomorrow, Thursday 10/16/2025, from 8 AM to 3 PM, come pray outside downtown Philly abortion centers 777 Appletree for 1-2 hour shifts. Be a bold witness for life, standing in peaceful prayer to support the unborn. To be paired with a prayer partner, contact Pat Stanton at (267) 718-4851 or Monique Ruberu at (469) 231-9084. Your presence can make a difference! Learn more here.